By Harriet Lee ‘25
Club Fair. Photo Credit: Nia Mayers
High school can be stressful, especially in the aftermath of a pandemic. I was interested in seeing how this year’s freshmen at NEST+m are adjusting to the new high school environment. In order to better understand and grasp my peers' perspectives, I created a survey and interviewed multiple students asking about their experience so far. I included questions such as “Do you feel comfortable with those you eat with?” and “How adjusted are you to the school work?” I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of responses I received.
I sent out a Google Form to the freshmen of NEST, and after a few weeks, received 50 responses. The participants were almost evenly divided with about half of the responses being from students new to NEST and the other half being students that attended NEST middle school. 34% of students rated their level of satisfaction with high school so far an 8 (out of 10). This was overwhelmingly and unexpectedly positive, considering the chaotic events of 2020 as well as the adjustment to high school itself. Additionally, 88% of people felt that they had people they were comfortable eating with at lunch. Overall, the data shows that the freshmen students enjoy school and feel well-adjusted.
The only point as to where people seem to struggle is with physics. An overwhelming number of students said they felt that it has been the most difficult and confusing class this year. To get a better understanding behind why and how it has been difficult, I interviewed some students.
First, I talked to Veronica Morris '25, one of the freshman representatives. She has had a positive experience with NEST so far with the reasonable class sizes, bright halls, and supportive teachers. She also feels that the transition into high school has been relatively smooth, especially because it is significantly easier to pay attention and learn in-person. However, she has noticed that physics can be difficult at times because of the complicated concepts. Being attentive in class, she has found, is incredibly helpful though.
Then, I talked to Lauryn Kirkland ‘25, another freshman who is content with the school. She felt that the atmosphere, with friendly students and staff, has been encouraging for her. She stated that she hasn’t “really needed much support recently but, in general, feel[s] supported by both friends and teachers alike.” Ultimately, her year so far has been positive.
When looking at the courtyard during lunch, I’ve noticed most people in groups, chatting, laughing, and seeming to have a great time. It’s nice to know that, from an inside point of view, people are actually enjoying themselves. Students are engaged in all my classes, and everyone demonstrates their love for learning. It’s safe to say that the freshmen at NEST are starting their high school journey off strong.
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